COURSE INFORMATIONAP Government is a college-level course that examines the theories and philosophies behind the development and practice of American government. Students will gain an understanding of the structure and daily operation of the government. In addition, students will critically analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the American political systems, as well as the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

The specific purpose of the course is to prepare students to take the AP Government and Politics exam.

A student who successfully completes the course will be able to:

 Identify important facts, concepts, and theories relating to U.S. government and politics.

Understand patterns of political processes and behavior and their consequences. This includes the components of political behavior, the principles used to explain or justify various government structures and procedures, and the political effects of these structures and procedures.

 Analyze and interpret data relevant to U.S. government and politics, including charts, tables, graphs, and various other formats.

Critically analyze relevant theories and concepts, apply them, and develop their connections across the curriculum.

Discussion of current events is frequently incorporated into the course. Students are expected to read a major news source on a regular basis. In addition, students should watch or listen to politically oriented news shows on TV, radio, or the Internet.

Click herefor the course syllabus. (Please note, adjustments may be made to the syllabus.)

Grading policy: 40% of your grade comes from tests and major projects 30% of your grades comes from quizzes and minor projects 15% of your grade comes from homework and another 15% comes from classwork (including participation)

Course topics:

*The American System (includes the Constitution, Federalism, and American Political Culture) *Opinions, Interests, and Organizations (includes Political Parties, Elections and Campaigns, Interest Groups, and the Media) *Institutions of Government (includes Congress, the Presidency, the Bureaucracy, and the Judiciary) *The Politics of Public Policy (includes the Policy-making Process, Economic Policy, Social Welfare, Civil Liberties, Civil Rights, Foreign and Military, and Environmental Policy

Text: American Government - Houghton Mifflin

Click here for the Cornell Law School website, which provides summaries and discussions of Supreme Court cases.